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Red Square, the sole location providing for a plaza-like assembly on-campus, is dated, worn, functionally idiosyncratic, and is generally lacking the understated grandeur that so permeates much of the remainder of the campus. Collectively, these faults dissuade Red Square successfully becoming a much needed third place—that is—an area of informal social interaction separate from home and work; fortunately redesign and consequent renovation of the area would mitigate these dilemmas.
I plan to address the constraints of cost and perhaps historical preservation if applicable. Trigger points include, seating, water feature, and unattractive concrete stairs leading to the place.
The most recent readings are applicable: "Third Place," "The Experience Architect," "City," and "Principles of Marketing," perhaps with an excerpt or two from "Main Street."
The following passages from Ray Oldenberg (Third Place) are relevant:
“Most needed are those ‘third places’ which lend a public balance to the increased privatization of home life. Third places are nothing more than informal public gathering places. The phrase ‘third places’ derives from considering our homes to be the ‘first’ places in our lives, and our work places the ‘second.’” "The character of a third place is determined most of all by its regular clientele and is marked by a playful mood, which contrasts with people's more serious involvement in other spheres. Though a radically different kind of setting for a home, the third place is remarkably similar to a good home in the psychological comfort and support that it extends…They are the heart of a community's social vitality, the grassroots of democracy, but sadly, they constitute a diminishing aspect of the American social landscape."
Home and work can be used interchangeably with the first and the second place. Therefore, a location distinct from either of these would be logically termed "third place." This so-called third place is a gathering space of informal social interaction and is frequented by a regular group. Typical third places include pubs, coffeehouses, and libraries, among others. These spaces provide for a homey atmosphere, very much conducive to learning through informal social interaction.
Successful third places lack any sense of exclusivity; all seating is equally accessible and the location makes use of the materials that foster a sense of home.
The Arcus Atrium at Hicks can be thought to be a third place. The area provides for an informal environment wherein one can be seated in any of the various seating groupings and socialize with others, perhaps migrating to the adjacent cafe for a coffee. It also makes use of the kinds of building materials that provide warm, unpretentious flair. To better this atrium, more seating alcoves could be created.
